In preparation for the safe reopening of JTConnect for the 2020-2021 school year, the JTConnect professional and lay leadership have been working to create a space that is as safe as possible for our teens, families and educators.  

  1. Masks
    1. JTConnect teens, educators and staff must wear masks at all times when at JTConnect including both indoor and outdoor programming.  
    2. Masks should be comfortable and cover the mouth and nose.  Face shields are optional, but do not replace masks.  
    3. The following masks are NOT accepted masks: face shield, gaiters, masks with vents
    4. Teens will be provided a JTConnect mask at the beginning of the year and are expected to bring their own mask to JTConnect when we meet.  In the event that a mask is forgotten or is damaged, JTConnect will have spare disposable masks available.  
    5. The only exception to the mask requirement is during designated breaks involving food, which will only happen outdoors and with social distancing.  
  1. Hand washing 
    1. Upon entry into the buildings hand sanitizer will be available and teens, staff and educators are expected to wash their hands.
    2. Hand sanitizer will be given to every teacher and made available in all JTConnect classes and programs.  Teens, staff and educators are expected to wash their hands when exiting and entering the classroom.
  1. Social Distancing
    1. JTConnect will utilize outdoor space as frequently as possible.  However, there will be times when JTConnect will need to meet indoors depending on factors such as space and weather. 
    2. When indoors, JTConnect will work with partner agencies to ensure access to well ventilated rooms.   
    3. Both indoor and outdoor spaces will be set up with chairs 6 feet apart from one another.  
    4. No more than 12 teens will be assigned to a class.  
  1. Supplies & Classroom
    1. JTConnect classes and programs will avoid activities that require the sharing of supplies between teens.  
    2. Sanitizing wipes will be given to every educator and they are expected to sanitize their space before and after every class.  Teens will have access to sanitizing wipes if they so need.  
  1. Bathrooms
    1. Bathrooms will have a one person limit when in use and signage on the door will allow teens to mark when someone is in the bathroom already.  
    2. Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes will be available in the bathroom.  
  1. Food
    1. JTConnect will not serve meals (lunch/dinner) at programs.  
    2. When snacks are provided they will be individually wrapped and eaten outdoors while maintaining 6 feet social distancing from others.  
  1. Arrival & Screening Procedure
    1. When teens arrive at JTConnect they will be prompted to fill out an online screening questionnaire on their smartphones using the link jtconnect.org/covid.  Teens without smartphones can conduct the screening questions with a stationed JTConnect staff member.  Teens have the option to fill out the questionnaire before arriving at JTConnect using the link provided.  Below are the questions that will be asked:
      1. Name (for contact tracing purposes)  
      2. Do you currently have any of the following symptoms?
        1. Fever (100.4°F or higher), or a sense of having a fever. 
        2. New cough that you cannot attribute to another health condition. 
        3. New shortness of breath that you cannot attribute to another health condition. 
        4. New sore throat that you cannot attribute to another health condition.  
        5. New muscle aches (myalgias) that you cannot attribute to another health condition, or that may have been caused by a specific activity (such as physical exercise).
      3. Have you or anyone in your household traveled out of state to a location on CT’s travel ban in the past 14 days?  
    2. A designated staff person will use an infrared thermometer to take the temperature of all teens and educators upon entrance to the building.  Individuals with a fever of 100.4 or higher will need to be picked up from a parent immediately.   
  1. Dismissal 
    1. Each JTConnect program will have a different policy in place for dismissal and how to reduce contact with other people who may be in the building at the same time.  
    2. Teens will keep their masks on until they have gotten into their vehicle.  
  1. Confirmed Case of COVID-19
    1. If a student or educator tests positive for COVID-19, they must notify the JTConnect office as soon as possible.  
    2. JTConnect will notify all families that possibly could have come in contact with the infected individual.  
    3. JTConnect will close in-person programming at the site of the confirmed case until it is deemed safe to return.